Corey Kluber out with right shoulder tightness

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Corey Kluber pitched a scoreless first inning today against the Colorado Rockies, walking a batter and striking out a batter, and walked off the mound at the end of the inning in a normal fashion.

However, Kluber did not come out to pitch the second inning — instead, Joe Palumbo came out in Kluber’s place. Palumbo got as much time as he needed to warm up, suggesting that it was some sort of injury or other physical issue, since that’s the only scenario where a pitcher gets unlimited time to warm up.

No clue at this point what the issue is, as the replays didn’t show Kluber having any issues in the dugout, and I don’t want to speculate. So we will just update this when we have more info.

UPDATE — Kluber was pulled due to tightness in the back of his right shoulder. That is, obviously, not good.

The Rangers have off days coming up that would allow them to juggle things to avoid needing a fifth starter again until August 8, if they choose, though that would mean Jordan Lyles starting next Saturday in San Francisco, rather than on Sunday, as had been previously announced, with Lance Lynn starting the Sunday game.

Hopefully Kluber will be ready to go again by then, but if he isn’t, Palumbo or Kolby Allard would take his place in the rotation.